Man gets 20 years for trafficking

A Prince George's County man was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison for transporting underage girls into the District for prostitution, including a 12-year-old foster child he was raising.

Shelby S. Lewis, 42, of Temple Hills pleaded guilty in December 2009 to four felony counts and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the District to concurrent terms for each count.

"If I could make the sentences consecutive, I would do so," Sullivan said after a grim sentencing hearing, which Shelby's family, children and two of the victims attended.

Lewis admitted prostituting a 12-year-old girl for two years after he became her guardian, a 13-year-old girl for approximately three years, and two girls, 14 and 16 years old, for shorter periods, according to a statement by the office of U.S. Attorney for the District Ronald C. Machen Jr. All lived with Lewis and his children. Two adult prostitutes were found at Lewis's home when police executed a search warrant.

"These depraved crimes are nothing less than modern-day slavery," Machen said. "We know that too many children are still suffering in the shadows, and our office will aggressively work to liberate victims from sex traffickers."

Not sure if there is a wife involved, but if so, it would be hard to believe she didn't know what was going on. And their juvenile kids should be removed from the "home." Also, I believe in financial restitution in situations like this. His assets should be divided between his minor children and the victims. It's unlikely to happen, but I think he's a menace to society and should spend the entire 20 years in jail.

Well, all of these people had to eat and be provided for somehow. It's not like they were doing anything that they wouldn't evidentially be doing anyway. Makes you wonder if they were unwilling in this enterprise. Were they beaten? Maybe the book will come out someday.

"Well, all of these people had to eat and be provided for somehow. It's not like they were doing anything that they wouldn't evidentially be doing anyway. Makes you wonder if they were unwilling in this enterprise. Were they beaten? Maybe the book will come out someday."

Posted by: reesemichael | November 2, 2010 9:26 AM
--------------------------
You are sick! From the comments you made about the man who should have gone to Thailand or the Phillipines for sex with young boys to this. "It's not like they were doing anything that they wouldn't eventually be doing anyway"? What kind of BS is that? We are talking about children here. All you write suggests you like having sex with helpless children. If anyone from police enforcement reads your comments, I hope they are looking into what your real name is so they can start looking at you! 10-1 you have a computer full of photos of young children being abused. Sick F$$k!

first of all he has a wife and the fact what the viticm saying really didnt happend he a loving father that just didnt no how 2 keep people from runing in and out his home i dnt think he should get 20 years he should got less thn that he in there for something he didnt do

We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.